Panthers vs. Impact
May 3, 1997

W 20-16

After winning in their last at-bat last night, the Panthers follow it up with another last-inning offensive blast to beat a strong Impact team 20-16!

Impact started hitting early, knocking in 5 runs in the top of the first. Marissa made a nice putout by throwing to Kelly at first base, but Impact's hitting was very strong. In the bottom of the first, the Panthers roared offensively! Marissa and Justina started us with 2 nice hits. Then Melanie stepped to the plate and *SMACK!* -- hit a line drive homerun! Kelly followed with a hit and Olivia got put out on a great play by the Impact pitcher! Rene, Brittany, and Ellen Ann got hits to load the bases with two outs and four runs already in! Kristen stepped to the plate and got a hit to drive in the fifth run!! Super clutch hit, Kristen! The score was tied 5-5 after one inning.

In the second inning, Impact kept on hitting. With two on and no outs, Lisa fielded a grounder at third and got the forceout! A couple batters later, Rene made a sweet out at first base. Then the strongest Impact player came to the plate. She smashed a homerun and scored the fifth run herself! When we came to bat, our first two batters got outs. Time to stage a 2-out rally! Justina, Melanie, and Kelly got hits to load the bases with two outs. Olivia stepped to the plate and whacked a bases-clearing triple! Rene drove in Olivia with a double. Then Lisa got a hit to move Rene over! With two outs, Brittany drove in the fifth run with another hit! The score was 10-10 after two innings.

In the third inning, Olivia made her claim to be Panther of the Day. With one out and the bases loaded, Olivia fielded a grounder at pitcher and made the forceout at home. Two batters later, Olivia got another chance and took advantage of it, getting another forceout at home to record the third out and hold the Impact team to one run! In the bottom of the third inning, the Panthers showed great confidence and super hitting! Ellen Ann started us with a hit and then Kristen got her second hit of the day! Maudie smacked a double and then Marissa, Justina, Kelly, Olivia, and Rene got hits to score 5 more runs! The Panthers led 15-11 after 3 innings.

In the fourth inning, Impact showed why they had a 6-1 record coming into the game! Tough hitting, capped by a grand slam, highlighted their inning! They scored 5 runs to lead 16-15 going into the bottom of the fourth. The Panthers didn't blink. Six straight hits by Lisa, Brittany, Ellen Ann, Kristen (3 for 3!!), Maudie, and Marissa scored 3 runs. Then Melanie popped a double to score the other two. Another 5 run inning by the Panthers! Panthers win 20-16!!

Coach Rodney had an easy time picking players of the game today. Olivia hit the 2-out, bases-loaded triple in the second inning and made two clutch defensive plays at pitcher to shut down Impact in the third inning. Kristen broke out of a small slump and absolutely attacked the ball today. She had three hits and drove in a very important run in the first inning! Congratulations to Olivia and Kristen as our our Panthers of the Day !! Super game Olivia and Kristen!

-- Velvet